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The 2009---Page3A
Eye on Glenville's upcoming elections is important: & New Year's well.wishes
Here is some Glenville City Election infor-
mation worth writing in your 2009 notebooks.
City's Special Levy Election
The Special Street Levy Election is sched-
uled for Tues., Feb. 3, 2009. Try to come to
City Hall to vote!
General Election &
Candidate Filing Period
Glenville's next General Election will be on
Tues.. June 9. 2009.
Any resident interested in running tbrmayor.
recorder or councilperson needs to file tbr
office at City Hall anytime between Jan. 12
and Jan. 31. Now is a good time for energetic
civic-minded people, who want to help our
community move forward, to step up to the
plate and to file for office. In that way, they'll
be placed on the official ballot, and will not
have to run as "write-ins."
Living in a small town does offer its advan-
tages, one of which is being able to run for
municipal government positions inexpen-
sively. In fact, the wards are so small that a
potential candidate could just knock on doors
and practically see all of the voters.
All of the elective positions, including each
one of the councilperson positions, are up for
grabs in this election.
Next City Council Meeting
Owing to the need to canvass the Special
Levy Election's ballots, the next City Council
meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Mon.,
Feb. 9, City Recorder Cathy Nolan recom-
mended.
Then. the Council can canvass the ballots at
6:15 p.m. and hold the public hearing on
property litter Ordinance at 6:45. with the
regular public meeting to follow at 7 p.m.
the usual time, but not the usual date.
Local politics
Glenville Mayor John Bennett tells me
that he won't be running for re-election, due to
the press of his full-time job:' principal and
chief administrator of the Calhoun-Gilmer
Career Center. He's done a good job over the
past two years, so we're sorry that he's step-
The
Corcoran
Column
BY David H. Corcoran
Publisher-Editor
ping out of the mayoral post.
He believes that few local citizens are
interested in runnmg for his and the council
positions. Let us hope that some well-quali-
fied people will throw their hats in these
various rings in order to give the voters a
choice in this upcoming General Election.
Fairman Company
Adam Fairman. owner of the Fairman
Building Components industry at the Gilmer
County Industrial Park. tells me that his firm
supplies Lowe's and Hardman's, among oth-
ers. with pre-fab building construction com-
ponents. His work force is now up to 17. and.
in spite of the national recession, they're still
going strong.
Red Cross Bloodmobile
Kay Moore. the local Red Cross Volun-
teer Coordinator and Glenville City Council's
2nd Ward rep, reports that the regular Ameri-
can Red Cross Bloodmobile will take place
from noon to 6 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 21 at the
Trinity United Methodist Church in down-
town Glenville. Since blood plasma is badly
needed after any holiday period, please make
a note on your calendar to give a pint on that
day.
Businesses for 2009
Best wishes to M r. and Mrs. John Kasuba.
of Glenville, who are making steady progress
m trymg to put a workable package together
in order to construct an airport, related indus-
trial and technology park. and fly-in commu-
nity on their Cedar Creek farm. Without a
modern airport, Gilmer County and GSC
cannot expect to grow, especially when the
Technology and Communications Age prom-
ises to link small counties and cities to the
outside modern world.
To Willie's Sports Shop. the new owners.
Wil and Cindy Randolph. are doing a fine
job in utilizing this large facility to the best
advantage. It's packed with a wide variety of
sporting goods. Our best to this popular couple
for continuing success in their new business
venture !
Tamara (Mrs. Gerry) Hough, who re-
cently moved into the old Curves business
location in Gilmer County, deserves a pat on
the back. She's established "The Studio" there,
mainly a dance studio. In larger cities, moth-
ers want their daughters and sons to become
physically fit and to be well-balanced. This
dance studio provides those youth opportuni-
ties in a cheerful atmosphere. We hope that
Tamara meets with much success in this new
venture. Good luck. Tammy!
Van and Miehelle Rarnsey, the young
owners and managers of the Smokehouse
BBQ, deserve our community's support. They
are located in the old Coffee & Friends coffee
shop on North Lewis Street in Glenvitle, just
up from the Main Street stop light. They've
brought a new zest for eating out to Gilmer
County and finding entertamment close to
home. In fact, a number of Bluegrass musi-
cians perform there on the weekend evenings.
Thanks, Van and Michelte!
Congratulations to Butch Drake on his
retirement at Drakes Auto Sales & Service.
and best wishes to his son-in-law, Doug
Cottrill, in buying out the longtime shop!
To Mary Lee McPherson, at Town &
Country Realty, thanks for becoming a mas-
ter volunteer in promoting Glenville's down-
town revitalization initiative, starting with the
Sidewalk Replacement Project! You and
the other members of "The Street Gang" are
to be commended for your loyalty to our fair
city.
Continued on page 5A
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New Year brings change; 30-year relationship celebrated
By Brent Boggs,
State Delegate (Gilmer-Braxton )
I write this week as we just concluded the
first day of January interim meetings.
The transition
This is truly a transition time. as the oath of
closely with new State Senator Doug Face-
mire and new Delegate David Walker, repre-
senting the 33rd District of Clay, Calhoun and
part of Gilmer County. I know that I speak for
all concerned that we will work together for
moving central West Virginia forward in the
office will be administered to House and days and months ahead.
Senate members on Wednegday at NfiV! '' ..... A'ilappy 30th Anniver,'sary!
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-Meanwhile, the previous .....
members are still members
of the various interim com-
mittees meeting Sunday
through Tuesday evening.
The logistics of this tran-
sition are quite a task for
the Speaker. Majority
Leader. Whip, staff and the
House Clerk. Committee
assignments for members, offices reassigned
for many returning members, as well as mov-
ing in for new members. "Parking spaces
always in short supply at the Capitol" must be
allocated, based on a number of factors, in-
cluding safety, mobility issues, office loca-
tion and seniority.
Phones must be reconfigured; office door
names changed, legislative directories up-
dated and reprinted; stationery ordered,
checked for accuracy and sent to the printers.
Meanwhile, rooms must be found for  all the
staff and per diem employees that are neces-
sary during the session. The same is also
occurring in the Senate, except they have one-
third the members, so the task is not quite as
immense.
Our local team
In addition to working with Senator Joe
Minard, I am looking forward to working
F'inallwJean and I celebrated our 30th anni-
versary last Wednesday. We were out of town
for a few days last week before the legislative
crunch time was to begin. We returned from
the airport last Wednesday night on icy, snow-
covered roads, witnessed several wrecks, and
had to literally creep along to get home safely.
As we made the slow return. Jean reminded
me that, 30 years to the day, we were in a
similar situation. After we were married, we
departed Charleston for a one-day honey-
moon at a country inn located in the northern
panhandle of West Virginia.
As I had only recently begun working on the
railroad. I had no vacation time and only two
days off. Before we reached our destination,
ice and snow-covered roads and several wrecks
forced us to stop at the first place north of
Charleston we could find lodging. The next
day, we just figured we'd forego going any
farther and just go back to Sutton to our
newly-rented home.
Thirty years have brought many changes to
our lives:children and grandchildren, times of
hardship and times of prosperity, good health
and times of health concerns, joys and tragic
losses, and the privilege and honor of serving
in the Legislature. We even managed to build
a house together, which we both now agree
that ifa couple can build a house together, you
can stay married through just about anything.
And, with my time away during the Legisla-
ture. meetings, and working long hours on the
railroad, she continues to be a great encour-
ager, supporter and partner.
Most of all. we've built a home.  We have
been blessed and are very thankful for our
faith, family irid! a':ui'tate and nation.
No one knows.hatth- uture holds, but God
willing, we're looking forward to many more
years together.
How to contact me!
Please address your correspondence to my
office at the Capitol at: Building 1, Room 228-
M. Charleston, WV 25305. Prior to the ses-
sion in February, there will be new telephone
and fat information as soon as the staff com-
pletes their work early in January. In the
meantime, my Capitol telephone number will
be 340-3220. As soon as this is finalized. I will
publish the information, so that evervone can
note the changes.
For those with Internet access, my e-mail
address is Boggs34@aol. corn
You also may obtain additional legislative
information, including the copies of bills.
conference reports, daily summaries, interim
highlights, and other information from the
Legislature's web site at http://
www. legis.state, wv. us/If you write or leave a
message, please remember to include your
phone number with your inquiry and any
details you can provide.
Remember to thank a veteran for their ser-
vice to our nation and continue to remember
our troops at home and abroad and keep
them and their families in your thoughts and
prayers. Until next week, take care!
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Citizens Against PATH laud County Commissions
Dear Editor,
At their December 2 meetmg, the Gilmer
county Commission took a strong, clear and
unanimous stand opposing the PATH power
line and supporting the property rights,
economy and health of Gilmer County citi-
zens.
They are joining County Commissions all
along the route; to-date, eight counties, includ-
ing our neighbors Roane, Calhoun, and Upshur.
have passed resolutions against PATH Now
it is time for the citizens of these counties to
back them up. Here's how.
Become informed, the article in this issue,
"Path Powerline Not A Done Deal" provides a
good overview of PATH and the proposed
route through Calhoun County, likely through
Grantsville. In Gitmer. the likely route will go
through Glenville, Following the route of the
existing high voltage power line. Maps of
proposed routes are available at the Court
House and at the FRN. I stress that these are
proposed routes. A definite route will be part
of the power company application that is
expected to be submitted to the WV Public
Service Commisston in March.
Become more informed, the following two
websites will provide you with much infor-
mation, background, up-to-date developments.
news stories and links:
www. calhounpowerline, wordpress, com
www. wvcitizensagainstpath.com
Become active, join us February 10. 2009
from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Gilmer
Senior Center for dessert, info and action.
Hear speakers from other counties, view maps,
be part of z/petition drive, and a letter and
postcard writing campaign. Find out what
rights citizens have and what can be done and
when. I hope to see you there.
For more information on the meeting, call
462-7638.
Carol Ross,
WV Citizens Against PA TH
Glenville
Related commentary on page 5A
Editorials
W,,Icome -
GSC's faculty and students are
back,on campus and in town
With Glenville State College's faculty and students back in town now. things are buzzing
at both the college and in Gilmer County. The second, or spring, semester is. indeed, getting
off to a promising start.
GSC 'President Peter Barr has set some high ideals and goals for the new term. In his
welcoming address to the faculty, he stressed the importance of academics, student retention.
and economic development. On the academic side. he propounded. "Our vision is to become
the best small, liberal arts college in the country. I know that we have it (here)." Now. that's
no small order!
Nevertheless. in further explanation, he noted. "We have the faculty and staff to be the best
in the country. I'm amazed at what every single person, whether they be faculty or staff, is
doing by their individual and team performances to achieve this ex:ellence." Most mpor-
tantly, he emphasized how each faculty and staff member by showing interest in each
student's welfare and well-being -- "transforms (their) lives." How true that is!
Additionally, with GSC's improved academic programs and this one-on-one faculty/staff
relationship with the students, the school's student retentibn rate will certainly be improved
thereby leading to enrollment growth in the 2009-2010 academic year.
Finally. the College's initiatives in economic'development will be continued in earnest.
The school is creating a modern housing development on SR 5 near the prison's entrance, the
Conrad Motel is being utilized, and the school's student community service projects will
continue, the President explained.
All in all. the spring semester will offer many difficult challenges for the faculty, staff, and
students, yet. on the other hand. these will be golden opporturlities for them as well. For if they
succeed, everyone wins. Indeed. they will all have ample time to grow m scholarly ways and
to give back to this locality, the region and the state of West Virgima, as well. So. we editors
wish them the best in 2009. and assure them of our support m their scholarship and
community service endeavors. DHC, Sr., Publisher-Editor
Shame or not? -
City Council fails to endorse town's
Sidewalk replacement project
At January 5th's regular public meeting when Glenville's City Council refused to endorse the
town's longed-desired sidewalk replacement project, city government's inaction raised many
questions.
By way of background, the city's all-volunteer Sidewalk C. ommittee had worked hard on writing
a $300,000 grant to replace the downtown's aging walkways and to widen East Main Street to
vehicular traffic. In addition, they are now raising money in order to help city government reach
its private/public matching funds, required by the grant. This sidewalk replacement project, in
general, is a vital first step to beautify the downtown; without it. not much can bedone to improve
our town's once-bustli'ng and picturesque business district.
In past city council meetings, the town's councilpersons have either picked apart the Sidewalk
Committee's proposal or just sat there, saying nothing. At the January 5 meeting, however, a citizen
politely requested that City Council endorse the Sidewalk Committee's plan. so that the committee
members would have a strong tool in its back pocket to use in raising the matching funds among
the city's business, industry, club. and private sectors. Council not only refused to act on the
citizen's request, but also stated that they ,had been working on the matter and "that speaks for
itself." Hence, an endorsement from city government isn't necessary.
The Council's failure to endorse the project poses as an obstacle in not only the Sidewalk
Committee's work and creditability in the short-term, but also for starting-up more downtown
beautification efforts in the long-term.
Our news story on the meeting, which ran in last week's January 8 edition, apparently drew both
praise and scorn Notably, City Council didn't like it. but the Sidewalk Committee did.
As a result, a closer look at City Council and the project may now be in order, precisely "Why
didn't the governmental body endorse it?"
First of all. no Councilperson addressed the plan except one. I st Ward Councilperson William
Grottendieck III. who reviewed, questioned, commented and criticized the Sidewalk Committee's
$300.000 proposal. In general, he argued that the financial risk to the city is too great for the
municipality to handle. Two other councilpersons Kay Moore and Jim Mencer were also
present, with Lisa Smarr and Dennis Fitzpatrick being absent. Hence, the whole Council wasn't
voting on this issue, or even discussing its merits an unusual situation in a small town. where.
generally, people speak their minds. Why aren't those other city councilpersons not speaking up?
Secondly, could the City Council's mum response over these past several months to the
Sidewalk Plan reflects o.n the p l,3n itsel[. V'eIL iQust isn't any good, so why even commen oit?
Maybe they think the plan which has'not  shown tO the public, doesn't add to the beai!0 '
.the town? If that is thecase, t.hna newplan.fiomJiffermatengineer or architect should df,
be ordered, shouldn't it? But. no one has requested another drawing of the proposed improvements.
(Based on the old Glenville Vision Plan's sketches, I'd expect the new sidewalks to reflect a little
bit of the area's history and beauty: perhaps a Riverboat Era theme, some small trees, benches for
pedestrians, buried utility lines, etc. Is that their vision too?)
Thirdly, while every line item of the Sidewalk Committee's grant has been reviewed in City
Council chambers, very little has been divulged about Glenville Utility's proposed major waterline
project, which promises to tear up the streets from the College to the downtown area. More
drastically, it is said that it will raise the customer's water and sewer rates. This means that we
Glenville residents will have to pay more for our water and sewer. This issue wasn't even discussed
by the council. So. on the one hand. while the Council is looking at every penny to be spent on a
citizens-inspired sidewalk improvement project, it is not even. on the other hand. raising inquires
about the financial impact on the city of the Glenville Utility's project. ( Councilman Grottendieck
is chair of Glenville Utility.) Also, does Glenville Utility's Board have the vision to work with the
Sidewalk Committee so that it's a win-win situation when the streets are torn up and put back in
place, thereby preventing a duplication of expenses?
Finally, if the City Council isn't speaking up on the Sidewalk issue before the general public and
for this newspaper to report, then what are they saying about it behind closed doors?
In general, for any democracy to be effective, it takes using the right of flee speech to make it
happen. In this case. it would be highly recommended that each councilperson speak up on the
issue, and not let just one person speak for all. DHC, Sr.
E( by George Harper
CITY CONFIOENTIAL ?
(or adopting to 0hage?}
DavidH. .GOtcorah, Siri; Publisher.Editor
: ..... P.O,:Box 458:,t08 N:CouR::St.:,::::GlenVille:, WV 26351
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